Olympus OM-D and Voigtlander Nokton 25mm f0.95 by Candlelight

 

Image Source: http://www.mu-43.com/f57/sofia-candlelight-48627/

 

Last weekend on a trip to Florida, I shot Micro 4/3 again for the first time after a long break. I've let my Leica interests, as well as my Skeletons From The Closet project, consume my photographic opportunities. In Florida, I shot my Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1, essentially for the first time. I'll have a few shots to share, soon. Anyway, I think I will make that camera a priority at some level, too. Too many cameras, too little time.

 

Shooting the GX1 got me thinking about what others are doing with Micro 4/3 these days. I came across this post from nickthetasmaniac on mu-43:

 

(Click Here) to see other shots by nickthetasmaniac on mu-43.com

 

He made these images with the Olympus OM-D and Voigtlander 25mm f0.95 lens. I've never tried a lens faster than f1.2. It seems to me that Micro 4/3 is the right place to do that, as you don't rely on the accuracy of a rangefinder with that extremely shallow depth of field that f0.95 would provide.

 

Hope you find the images as interesting as I did.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

Excellent Photo Reportage From Turkey - nickthetasmaniac on mu-43.com

Image Source: http://www.mu-43.com/f57/taksim-istanbul-47817/

 

Poster nickthetasmaniac has posted an excellent series of images from the upheaval currently going on in Turkey. Shot with the Olympus OM-D, these images really give the feel of the place and situation.

 

(Click Here) to see the whole post. Pay particular attention to the fifth image in the series, of press videographers donning gas masks. Very cool commentary on the situation

 

Nick did very nice work with the OM-D.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

monchan on mu-43.com Wins a Japanese Photo Contest - Awesome Dramatic Shot

 

Image Source: http://www.mu-43.com/f42/i-won-prize-my-first-stoked-40225/

 

monchan, a member on mu-43.com, has won a local photo contest in Japan with this shot.

 

(Click Here) to read monchan's post on mu-43.com

 

The vertical wall of white water is amazing. It's really a great thing that the fisherman is wearing a dark color, contrasting well against the water. He has red on this hat and lower pants leg, which also help. The line of the fishing rod, essentially visually connecting him to the flying water, and the converging lines of the seawall complete the picture. And, there's a reflection even. Wow. Very nicely done.

 

By the way, this was shot with the Olympus OM-D.

 

Congratulations to monchan!

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

gotak from Mu-43.com Shares a Cold Toronto Winter Morning

 

Image Source: http://www.mu-43.com/f57/5am-9am-downtown-toronto-39093/

 

Mu-43.com member gotak has posted some images taken in Toronto this winter, all between the hours of 5:00-9:00 am. These were shot on the Olympus OM-D.

 

(Click Here) to see them all on mu-43.com, including the iced-over docks at Toronto Harbor.

 

gotak tells us that the OM-D was a lightweight selection, and that it was good, since the icy docks come with some danger of slipping into the water.

 

These pictures make me feel cold just looking at them. Slide into that water, and it's all over, I'm afraid.

 

It's nice to see some images from so early in the morning - definitely not your average tourist shots. The OM-D seems to do quite well with long exposures.

 

DMC-365.blogspot.com

 

 

 

Bhupinder2002 at mu-43.com Shoots Olympus 45mm f1.8 With 10-Stop Neutral Density Filter for Motion Effect

 

Image Source: http://www.mu-43.com/f38/olympus-45mm-meets-10stop-nd-filter-few-images-38956/

 
I've posted about using neutral density filters in the past. For me, the most common uses are to:

1. Reduce the light coming into the lens to allow me to shoot at wide apertures (for shallow depth of field) in bright light
2. Reduce light to allow the use of longer shutter speeds, which provides the ability to blur motion.

I usually carry a 3-stop filter, which allows me to move from say f8 in daylight, as some reasonable shutter speed, to f2.8. That makes a real difference in depth of field, for instance if I want to take a portrait in bright light, and blur the background.
 
Bhupinder2002 has posted some shots using a 10-stop neutral density filter on a 45mm f1.8 lens with the Olympus OM-D. This provides for a much larger change in settings, including allowing very long shutter speeds in broad daylight. Hence the moody motion of the water in the image above. It's a cool effect.
 
(Click Here) to see all of the images Bhupinder2002 posted.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 
 
 

Olympus OM-D and Lumix 45-200mm Zoom - Nice Horseback Pictures by caimi on mu-43.com

 

Image Source: http://www.mu-43.com/f57/hunter-derby-11-11-12-a-36240/

Olympus OM-D, Panasonic Lumix 45-200mm f4-5.6 Lens

 
Member caimi posted several very nice pictures from a horseback riding event, all shot with the Olympus OM-D and Panasonic 45-200mm f4-5.6 lens.
 
(Click Here) to see the full post on mu-43.com
 
I bought the Lumix 45-200 with my first Micro 4/3 camera, the DMC-G1. It is an awesome lens - very compact, fast, and sharp. I sold it when I moved to the 14-140mm f4-5.8 and the 100-300mm f4-5.6. I believe the 45-200 is sharper than the 14-140. The 100-300 is so good, I can't say either one is better in the range where they overlap.
 

Ducking Parade, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1, Lumix 45-200mm f4-5.6 Lens

iso 400, f6.3, 1/640 sec.

 
 
 

Goldfinch, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1, Lumix 45-200mm f4-5.6 Lens

iso 400, f5.6, 1/500 sec.

Nothing wrong with the 45-200, even though it was one of the first Lumix Micro 4/3 lenses.

DMC-365.blogspot.com

New Olympus OM Blog

 

Image Source: http://omexperience.wordpress.com/2012/10/03/ren-fest-part-duex/

 
Today I found a new blog. Being a Micro 4/3 fan, I'm always looking for others using Micro 4/3 cameras and posting lots of pictures. Today I found the OM Experience, an Olympus OM-D focused blog, by Matthew, who lives in the Baltmore, Maryland area.
 
(Click Here) to see Matthew's blog.
 
Matthew is posting a lot of pictures - key to a great photography blog. He posted a nice set of images from the Maryland Renaissance Fair, which runs through late October. I guess I've missed it again this year. I have been planning to go for quite some time.
 
Anyway, for my friends out there that use the Olympus OM-D, this will be a great blog to follow. He also uses Panasonic lenses, including the Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4. So, you Lumix fans won't be left out.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

Shipwreck Coast, Australia - by Livnius on mu-43.com with Olympus OM-D and Lumix 7-14mm f4 Lens

 

Shipwreck Coast, Australia, by Livnius on mu-43.com

Image Source: http://www.mu-43.com/f54/shipwreck-coast-australia-32832/

 
(Click Here) to see more dramatic images of this awesome place.
 
Livnius on mu-43.com posted the image above, and a few others, taken on the Australian coast near Melbourne. Livnius reports that he was hoping for blue skies, but a storm rolled in. I would say "thank you" to the photo gods for this one. What drama the storm added!
 
Apparently he had a different type of shot in mind, from lower down on the beach. I hope we get to see those, too!
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

How's This For a First Shot With a New Camera?

 

Image Source: http://www.mu-43.com/f42/my-first-e-m5-shot-30469/

 
Member cohomology on mu-43.com posted this first image from a new Olympus OM-D, using the Panasonic Lumix 14mm f2.5 lens. Wow. If I got this from the first shot of a new camera, I'd go buy another one just like it. Or, I'd put the original one away and only use it when I'm in a slump. The dynamic range in this image is awesome. No, I'm not count intensities or gray levels on a tiny image on the screen. I'm looking at the detail in the shadowy foreground, coupled with the bright detail in the clouds. Very nice.
 
(Click Here) to see the original post on mu-43.com
 

Inside a Tiny Sushi Shop, Tsukiji, Tokyo, Japan, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, Lumix 14mm f2.5

iso 400, f2.5, 1/50 sec

 
I really enjoy the miniscule 14mm f2.5 prime lens. In addition to the classic use of a wide angle for landscapes, as cohomology uses in the top picture, I find it's great for small interior spaces. A 12mm would be even better.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

Another Convert - Canon-to-Micro 4/3 - tconelly Shoots Barcelona With OM-D

 

Madrid, by tconelly on mu-43.com

Image Source: http://www.mu-43.com/f56/e-m5-travel-performance-barcelona-29520/

 
One of the main reasons I like Micro 4/3 is for compactness. That especially comes into play in travel.
 
tconelly on mu-43.com has converted from a Canon DSLR kit to an Olympus OM-D and large selection of lenses, including the Panasonic Lumix 20mm f1.7.
 
(Click Here) to read the post on mu-43.com, where tconelly describes the difference in size and weight of what he was able to carry on trips with Canon vs. Olympus.
 
On his Madrid trip, he shot a lot of images, and provides links to them. I would suggest at least going to his condensed set of the whole trip.
 
(Click Here) to see that photo set on pbase.
 
It's hard to imagine that he would have been more pleased with the results if he'd carried a larger camera.
 
Now I want to go to Madrid, as well. :)
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

Well, Is It Sexy? Thoughts On the "X-Factor" And Camera Designs

 

New Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5

Image Source: http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMC-G5KK

 
I have been sorely tempted with some great deals on used Leica M9s recently, almost to the point of giving in. Now that's a sexy camera. In fact, it's hard for me to come up with any other reason for wanting it. I have a Leica M8 that I am fond of, but use much less than my Lumix DMC-G3s.
 
In tussling with myself over whether to buy an M9, which even at a great used price is super expensive, I took my M8 out this morning, after a long hiatus. The M8 is also a very sexy camera and I had a blast shooting it today. The images were truly no better than I got last weekend with my DMC-G3. The M9 would get me a full-frame sensor, and moderately better high iso performance. That's it. And, the M9's 2.5X the cost of the M8.
 
I have built my Leica lens set pretty well around the cropped sensor of the M8, with a 25mm Zeiss Biogon (33mm equivalent full-frame), old 35mm Summilux (47mm equivalent), and Voigtlander 75mm f2.5 (100mm equivalent) as the main kit. All of these work great on the M8. So, full-frame doesn't mean much.
 
Better high iso performance is meaningful. But, to be honest, my DMC-G3 has far better high iso performance than I could expect from the M9.
 
Again, it's the sexy factor, the "x-factor" that attracts me to the M9.
 
I read a post on dpreview.com that discusses this very thing.
 
(Click Here) to read the post on dpreview.
 
This post talks about how the Panasonic camera designs are great technically, but rather pedestrian in style. In some ways, I do agree, even though it's obvious how much I like Panasonic. The G3 sure doesn't feel like a Leica in my hands. But, as I've said, in many ways it outperforms.
 
The post also talks about how the Olympus OM-D has the x-factor. I can see that - the retro styling is very nice. But, still not like a Leica, in my opinion.
 
I sort of see this like comparing a Toyota and a Porsche. Obviously, Panasonic is the Toyota analog, Leica the Porsche analog. I own a Toyota, and have owned two Porsches in my life. I rely on the Toyota now, and don't own a Porsche. The Toyota is definitely more reliable, economical, and reasonable; I still miss my Porsche.
 
Toyota makes some performance cars - the Supra twin turbo is a performance legend. I'm sure it's also reliable. So, maybe the right solution is a Panasonic camera with the right styling and features to be both reliable and exciting.
 

And How About This Toyota? Panasonic - Make Us A Camera That FEELS Like This

Image Source: http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/30000-toyota-sports-car-for-2012-20110302-1be0b.html

 
Is the DMC-G5 that camera? It looks pretty good to me. The grip will add a lot of feel, compared to the G3. If the sensor is as good or better than the Olympus OM-D, that will be great. It will never be a Leica, but it may just have some x-factor to it.
 
I think Panasonic could learn something of design by looking at the Leicas, and at the Fujifilm XPro-1. Fujifilm certainly put some x-factor into that design (closely modeled on the Leica).
 
I was thinking about what I'd like to try out in Micro 4/3 gear in the near future as I considered a great deal on a Leica M9. I figured out that I could buy a DMC-G5, Olympus 75mm f1.8 lens, Lumix 12-35mm f2.8, add in a new DMC-GH3 body when it's available (maybe that will be the sexy one?), and still spend less on these (all new) than I would on a single Leica M9 body only, USED!
 
So, I'll keep my Leica M8 for times when I just need that feel, but I won't upgrade to the M9.
 
I still miss my Porsche.
 
Panasonic, please try to build some x-factor into your upcoming designs. We'll be willing to pay for it, I promise.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 
 

Interesting Poll on Micro 4/3 Usage on mu43.com, and Why I Like Other Formats, Too

 

View Poll Results: How much of your shooting is done with a M4/3? 90% to 100% 45 64.29% 75% to 89% 15 21.43% 50% to 74% 4 5.71% 25% to 49% 3 4.29% 11% to 24% 2 2.86% 1% to 10% 0 0% 0% 1 1.43% Voters: 70. You may not vote on this poll

Data and Graph Source: http://www.mu-43.com/f35/how-much-your-shooting-done-m4-3-a-29954/

 
This is the current (as of July 22, 2012) result of a poll on mu-43.com, regarding what percentage of respondents' pictures are taken with a Micro 4/3 (M4/3) camera. By the time this is posted on DMC-365, it will be different.
 
(Click Here) to see the latest results on mu-43.com.
 
I personally fall into the 75%-89% category at this point. That's impressive, given that I have so many other format cameras that I love to use. In fact, I'm currently wrestling with the urge for another Leica, interested in the Fujifilm XPro-1, and just completed a week-long film challenge. I'm anything but a single format photographer.
 
Currently, 60% of respondents indicate that they use M4/3 75% or more of the time. I think this means that M4/3 has really arrived. Of course, the 70 people who responded so far are preselected by the fact that they are reading mu-43.com. I don't think the data indicate whether or not more people are adopting the format; they merely say that many of those who do happen to take the format seriously and use it a lot of the time.
 
In my own usage, I find M4/3, specifically the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 and associated lenses, to be quite satisfying photographically. I just wish they felt more like cameras. They certainly don't have the feeling of a traditional rangefinder - simple, quick, mechanical. They can emulate the DSLR pretty well, but not the old film SLRs. Nikon DSLR design has the same problem, in my opinion. Leica has it down. I think maybe Fujifilm does, too, but I'm not sure about that hybrid viewfinder thing, and the fact that if I mount a Leica lens, I have to focus with the electronic finder, not the optical one.
 
Any XPro-1 users out there that can comment on how Leica lenses really work on the system?
 
Feeling is why my older cameras call me. I've identified that manual focus is a big part of that feeling for me. I can use manual focus on my M4/3 cameras, and do. But, it sure isn't the same.
 
Now, I realize this is just the old man in me. Not everyone has this problem. I'm sure great grandpa hated the feel of an electric starter, preferring the tactile feedback of the manual engine crank. But, I wouldn't have wanted to take that away from him.
 
I don't know if there's a technical solution to making a M4/3 camera with the feel of a Leica or old SLR. The Olympus OM-D sure looks like an old SLR. But, I haven't tried one yet, to see if it feels like one.
 
Any Oly users out there want to comment?
 
I enjoy the form factor of the Panasonic DMC-GF1 (now replaced with the GX1), but it just looks like a rangefinder; it is not one.
 
Meanwhile, I'll keep tight grip on my wallet, and avoid that Leica urge... The best way is to get out and shoot a Leica film camera - that will fulfill my jones for tactile feedback.
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com
 
 

Andy Hendriksen Reports Why He Sold His Nikon DSLR In Favor of the Olympus OM-D

 

Olympus OM-D

Image Source: http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/images/product/1583/360/000_000.png

 
Andy Hendriksen has written a full report on why he has made the shift completely away from DSLR to Micro 4/3 equipment.
 
(Click Here) to read Andy's report on The Phoblographer.
 
Andy explains how the advent of the Panasonic DMC-GF1 a few years back immediately drew his attention (and a purchase), but was not enough to convince him to sell his Nikon DSLR. This had to do with two major points: 1) performance of the GF1 itself, particularly low light performance and autofocus speed, and 2) a lack of a complete lens set. That said, Andy indicates that he thoroughly enjoyed the GF1, and took it many places that his DSLR would not have gone.
 
Andy feels that the Olympus OM-D represents the tipping point in performance that allows him to replace his DSLR with Micro 4/3 equipment. Timing is also right for him, as there is now a nearly complete stable of lenses available.
 
Like me, Andy was intrigued by the Fuji XPro1 camera, which is a mirrorless system camera, but not Micro 4/3 format, but decided not to go that way because of some performance points, and because there are less lenses available.
 
Andy settled on the OM-D body and the following lenses: Olympus 12mm f2, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4, and Olympus 45mm f1.8. He sold his Nikon kit. So far, he's very pleased with his decision.
 
I have not gone as far as Andy. My choice of bodies was the DMC-G3, which I am still quite pleased with. I find the autofocus to be very fast, the options myriad and useful, and the low light performance a giant step up from my previous DMC-G1 and GF1. I should say that both the G1 and GF1 are great cameras, but the new generation surpasses them. My lens kit is not far off from Andy's, either. I lean heavily on primes, most notably the Lumix 14mm f2.5, Pana-Leica Summilux 25mm f1.4, and Pana-Leica 45mm f2.8 Macro-Elmarit. I thought the Summilux would not replace the excellent Lumix 20mm f1.7 for me, but it all but has, even though they're quite different lenses.
 
I am planning to add an expensive new lens to my kit, which will be my first Olympus lens - the 75mm f1.8, as soon as it's available.
 
All that said, I am not ready to sell my Nikon D700 DSLR. In fact, last weekend, I shot both kits at a music festival, and each has their merits. They are not interchangeable. I shot the G3s all day long, then switched to Nikon for the evening shows. Part of this was because I have longer lenses in Nikon, and used my 300mm f4 Nikkor quite a lot. Thinking this way, the new 75mm f1.8 from Olympus would have allowed me to leave the much heavier and more obtrusive Nikon kit at home.
 

Jack Pugh of Jake and the Burtones, by Reed A. George

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

 
However, any way I look at it, the D700 still significantly outperforms the G3 in image quality, and several other aspects. When I look at some of those images from the D700 over last weekend, the quality is astounding. So, no, my D700 isn't going anywhere.
 

Iron Horse Band, by Reed A. George

Nikon D700, Nikkor 300mm f4 AF-IF

 
I have come to consider my Micro 4/3 kit (DMC-G3 and a few primes) as my new 35mm film equivalent kit. The Nikon D700 is my medium format film equivalent. I fully believe that it provides every bit as much image quality as my medium format film cameras ever did.
 
Don't get me wrong - this is not an advertisement of full satisfaction with the Nikon DSLR. If it were, this blog would not be about Panasonic and Micro 4/3 gear. The Nikon gets a tiny fraction of the use of my G3s, in large part due to weight and size. But, one does not replace the other. I'm not sure it ever will.
 
This does leave me wondering exactly where to draw the lines of lens selections for Micro 4/3. The case in point is the new Panasonic Lumix 12-35mm f2.8. This lens is very expensive, especially for Micro 4/3. I don't know if I'm ready to drop that kind of money on a fast zoom for Micro 4/3, or whether I will stick primarily with the excellent prime lenses I already have, plus the new Olympus 75mm. No question, the primes are great. The zoom could be an excellent solution for travel. I'm not sure where I'm going with this one, but my wallet is warming up in my pocket as I write...
 
DMC-365.blogspot.com